The Houthis fired a missile towards Israel in retaliation to an Israeli airstrike on a building in Doha, the capital of Qatar, resulting in the death of at least five Hamas members.
According to an Israeli military spokesperson, Israel’s defense systems were activated to intercept the retaliatory missile launched from Yemen. This incident followed an Israeli airstrike on Hamas members meeting in Doha to discuss a peace proposal by Donald Trump aimed at resolving the Gaza conflict.
Doha has been a key location for peace negotiations concerning Gaza, where Hamas leaders have previously felt secure to engage in diplomatic discussions. Qatar strongly condemned Israel’s actions, labeling it a “criminal attack.”
Explosions shook Doha, with plumes of smoke filling the sky as at least five blasts were reported. Despite the attack, Hamas stated that their leadership team survived unharmed.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, known for his far-right views, justified the strike on Doha as a message that terrorists cannot operate with impunity globally. He praised the Israeli military and counterintelligence services for executing the operation effectively.
Several Gulf states criticized Israel for the attack on Doha. The United Arab Emirates, despite having normalized relations with Israel in 2020, condemned the strike as “cowardly.” Saudi Arabia labeled it as “brutal Israeli aggression.”
Qatar, known for its mediation efforts in the Gaza conflict, expressed dismay at the Israeli strikes, leading to a pause in peace talks. The country denounced the attack as a blatant violation of international law, emphasizing its commitment to regional security.
Reports indicated that in addition to the missile launch, the Houthis also deployed a drone towards Israel following the Qatar incident. Israeli media revealed that since March 18, the Houthis have launched 81 ballistic missiles and around 35 drones at Israel.
The Times of Israel confirmed that Israeli air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis from Yemen towards Israel. Sirens were activated in the Jerusalem area, southern West Bank settlements, and communities near the Dead Sea as a precaution.